Category: product

The Zero Calorie that Leads to Weight Gain

Published on by Nikken

Once considered to be a helpful weight loss tool and an alternative to sugar for diabetics, the zero-calorie artificial sweetener has gone from the role of savior to devil. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved five artificial sweeteners: saccharin, acesulfame, aspartame, neotame, and sucralose. These artificial sweeteners are intended to save you the calories from sugar, but there’s growing evidence that there are numerous adverse effects.

As summarized on the Harvard School of Public Health website, the concern is that sweetness without calories is unnatural and may stimulate hormonal changes that encourage overeating. Dr. David Ludwig, an obesity and weight-loss specialist at Harvard-affiliated Boston Children’s Hospital, says one concern is that people who use artificial sweeteners may replace the lost calories through other sources, possibly offsetting weight loss or health benefits.

There are also studies emerging that show how artificial sweeteners can trigger “sweet receptors” in the stomach that tell the body to produce insulin, even though there is no actual consumption of sugar. Replicating the body’s response to real sugar, these high insulin levels may promote fat storage and trigger unhealthy food cravings.

In a landmark study published in Nature in 2014, scientists showed that artificial sweeteners wreak havoc in the gut microbiome and lead to obesity, glucose intolerance, and diabetes. Another recent study has shown that replacing sugary drinks with artificially sweetened drinks does not reduce the risk for diabetes and other metabolic diseases, as originally intended.

There has been, and still is, ongoing controversy over the use of artificial sweeteners; however, there are certain indisputable facts. For example, 10 percent of aspartame is broken down into methanol, a known poison. Another fact is that sucralose is manufactured with chlorine. More negative side effects attributed to artificial sweeteners are reported to the FDA than any other types of additives.

Be vigilant and read ingredient listings to avoid artificial sweeteners. Eat food that is naturally sweet, like fruit and vegetables. Choose organic-based nutritional supplements. Nikken is here to help you create a win-win Active Wellness lifestyle!

Have a Happy & Prosperous New Year

Published on by Nikken

As I reflect back on 2016, I am heartened by the successful transformation that continues to take place with Nikken. It is not by luck that our company has weathered the many global changes—economic, political and regulatory—since its humble beginnings in 1975. As we move forward into 2017, we will focus on two main aspects of our business:

  • A product line that is unique, wonderful and organic.
  • The direct sales industry‘s simplest compensation plan.

Our product line has evolved over the years, not only to fulfill the needs and preferences of our Nikken Consultants and Customers, but also to reveal the latest developments in organic food science and our own patented DynaFlux® magnetic technology. These include NikkenWellness norganic nutritional supplements, True Elements® Marine Organic Skin Care and products with sleep and magnetic technology.

In 2017, we will continue developing our consumables—they will contain the highest quality organic ingredients and be stripped of anything that may be detrimental to the pursuit of Active Wellness. We will be the standard bearers for Active Wellness and healthy weight management.

Our compensation plan will be even simpler to understand and execute. Our Nikken Consultants will find it easier to reap the rewards of a home-based part-time income with flexible hours, extra cash and a business opportunity that may lead to a second career. Anyone who makes the commitment to retail product and sponsor business builders will succeed as a Nikken entrepreneur.

Choosing Nikken is the smart move to improve health and earn money. I look forward to a prosperous 2017 and wish you all the best in each of the 5 Pillars of Health®.

Kurt H. Fulle                                                                                                                                                       CEO & Chairman of the Board

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What is BMI?

Published on by Nikken

Have you heard body builders at the gym comparing their BMIs? Or do you know someone who is body-obsessed and talks about BMI in every conversation? Here’s why knowing your BMI can be useful to you.

BMI stands for Body Mass Index and is the ratio of a person’s weight to height squared. BMI can be used as a screening tool for body fatness but is not diagnostic. Because the calculation requires only height and weight, it is inexpensive and easy to use for clinicians as well as the general public.

BMI is not a perfect measure because it doesn’t assess body fat directly. Muscle and bone are denser than fat, so an athlete or muscular person might have a high BMI but not have too much fat. For the majority of the adult population, measuring BMI is considered by researchers to be a reliable way to determine whether a person has too much body fat.1

The most basic definition of overweight and obesity is having so much body fat that that it “presents a risk to health.”2 Measuring BMI is a widely used method for clinicians to determine who is overweight or obese. BMI is strongly correlated with metabolism rates and disease risks, which are more direct measures of body fatness.3

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) provides a body mass index calculator on their website. 4  

According to the NHLBI, here are the BMI categories:

Underweight = <18.5

Normal weight = 18.5-24.9

Overweight = 25-29.9

Obesity= 30 or >

Whether your BMI shows you to be underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese, check with your physician before undertaking any drastic changes to your diet.

Maintaining an Active Wellness lifestyle that incorporates exercise and organic nutritional supplements is the natural way to support fitness, boost energy levels and ignite your metabolism.

Support your overall goals for a healthy body and healthy mind with an assortment of Nikken Wellness products. Kenzen® Vital Balance Meal Replacement Mix and Kenzen Ten4® Energy Drink Mix are just a couple!

1 Gallagher D, Visser M, Sepulveda D, Pierson RN, Harris T, Heymsfield SB. How useful is body mass index for comparison of body fatness across age, sex, and ethnic groups? Am J Epidemiol. 1996; 143:228-39.

2 World Health Organization. Obesity and overweight. Fact sheet Number 311. September 2006. Accessed January 25, 2012.

3 Flegal, K.M. & Graubard, B.I., 2009. Estimates of excess deaths associated with body mass index and other anthropometric variables. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 89(4), pp.1213–1219.

4 The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

 

 

Too Many Gastronomic Temptations?

Published on by Nikken

As the holiday season progresses, we have to be realistic about keeping our digestive systems working properly, knowing that we’ll fall off the wagon a little in the area of food and beverage consumption.

Two of the biggest culprits over the holidays are overeating and over-drinking. Both excesses involve copious amounts of sugar, something that we know we should avoid. Both add empty calories and carbs to the diet, and alcohol also has a dehydrating effect on the body. Then there’s the extra sodium used in meat marinades, brines and gravies, which produces a dehydrating effect as well.

In addition, there are enticing carbs in the form of potatoes and pasta, bread and muffins, to name just a few. Carbs that contain gluten may produce a feeling of bloat—that feeling of an expanding waistline after only a single big meal is not a figment of the imagination.

To maintain a lifestyle of Active Wellness, the digestive system needs to work efficiently to keep us on-the-go. If we’re “going” too much, our bodies aren’t absorbing enough nutrients to provide the natural energy we need. If we’re “going” too infrequently, sluggishness sets in. Eating too much of the wrong food and too few of the right nutrients can produce either effect, depending on our individual digestive tracts.

What’s a body to do? The answer is thankfully simple.

Nikken produces a nutritional supplement that takes the guesswork out of your daily digestive patterns. The name of our nutritional supplement is long, but there’s a reason for that. Kenzen® Digestion Complex 4-20 (link to product in shopping cart) helps the body to process the four major food groups—carbs, proteins, fats and fiber—with a total of 20 enzymes . This is no small feat of formulation. If you take the time to check other nutritional supplements, you’ll find they commonly contain enzymes to process two or three of the food groups at best.

You’ll also find our recurring theme with Nikken Wellness products: there are specific ingredients that are NOT included, because they’re of no benefit in a nutritional supplement. Kenzen® Digestion Complex 4-20 therefore does not contain dairy, preservatives, salt, sucrose, soy, wheat, yeast, corn, nuts, gluten, artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors. Even if you’re a vegan or on a gluten-free diet, you’re good to go with Kenzen Digestion Complex 4 -20.

Take one capsule before each meal and let’s enjoy our feasts and try not to fall off the wagon.

How Much Did You Gain Over Thanksgiving?

Published on by Nikken

Okay, be honest. How much weight did you gain this past week? Popular belief finds that the average American gains around five to 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. This starts off with approximately a little over a pound gained over Thanksgiving week. If it doesn’t sound like much to you, you’re probably one of those fortunate people with a fast metabolism that kicks into high gear once you get back on your regular eating regimen.

Unfortunately, many people—especially those who are middle-aged and older—gain a few pounds over the holidays every year and never take the weight off. Not to be an alarmist but multiply two by 10 and that’s 20 pounds in a decade! There’s no better time than right now to jump into Active Wellness!

Here are half a dozen tips for fighting the battle of the holiday bulge:

  • Drink water—lots of it. Water not only helps you feel full but it also helps your digestive system work more efficiently. A bonus of drinking more water than you might be accustomed to is an improvement in your skin, especially if you drink filtered water!
  • Don’t deprive yourself and abruptly cut out everything you think of as fattening. Instead, cut out a third of everything. Portion control is key. Too often, we think of what to eat rather than how much to eat.
  • Increase your consumption of green, leafy vegetables. They’re bulky and therefore filling, and they contain very few calories. In addition, you reap the benefits of their inherent vitamins and minerals, which are sources of natural energy.
  • Decrease your consumption of “white” foods, such as bread, rice, pasta and potato. Replace with organic whole grains.
  • Ditch anything that’s “ready-made” for the microwave. Chances are it contains too much sodium and some kind of preservative. Our bodies absolutely despise preservatives.
  • If you’re generally sedentary, take a brisk 15 to 30 minute walk every day. If you’re already on a good exercise regimen, increase whatever you do by two to five minutes. The trick is to be consistent.

Stylish or Sporty Magnetic Jewelry: Choose Both!

Published on by Nikken

Throughout human history, jewelry has been worn as an art form and way to show wealth and social status. The materials and techniques used to manufacture jewelry have evolved since the very first forms were worn about 90,000 years ago. From wooden beads to shells, twine to thread, pebbles to metal, the same components are still available today—sold as primitive and contemporary art.

Dramatic improvements in technology mean that present-day jewelry is made with a huge range of materials, both natural and synthetic. But what about jewelry that is worn not just for artistic expression or as a status symbol but also for a purpose?

That’s where Nikken excels. From the Marquesa Collection to Milana to the Kenko Perfect Link® silver plated and gold plated necklaces, Nikken helps everyone make an artistic statement while imparting the benefits of magnetic technology. Who would think that neodymium magnets could look so stylish!

If you’re serious about Active Wellness, looking good and feeling even better, the sporty look of Kenko PowerBand® magnetic jewelry for neck and wrists will suit you. You virtually never have to take them off—they’re fine in the pool and in the shower.

When you wear Kenko magnetic jewelry, you help maintain health and beauty. Feel the Nikken difference every day!

Sugar in Whole Foods vs. Added Sugar

Published on by Nikken

Sugar is like cholesterol: there’s the good and the bad. The good news is that it’s easy to distinguish between edible sugars and those to avoid. Here are two facts to remember:

  • Sugar found in whole foods comes with vitamins, minerals, protein, phytochemicals and fiber. This naturally occurring sugar is a source of nutrition.
  • When any type of sugar is added to foods during processing, cooking or at the table, it contains calories without any nutrients or fiber. Added sugar not only offers no benefits, it actually is a source of potential physical harm.

There are three basic carbohydrates in our diets — simple sugar, starch and fiber — all consist of sugar. Simple sugars, such as sucrose, fructose and lactose, only have one or two molecules of sugar. The “sugar high” and the crash that comes with it can be vividly witnessed in some children who are usually fed healthy foods and suddenly are given so-called “treats” at a party: ice cream, cake and candy, for example. Their bodies react to the simple sugars they are not accustomed to by creating an artificial burst of energy, followed by crankiness and fatigue. This is because simple sugars shoot quickly into the bloodstream and may cause spikes in blood sugar.

Starch and fiber are complex carbohydrates because they’re made from three to hundreds of sugar molecules. During digestion, simple sugars and complex starches break down into single molecules of glucose. Since they contain multiple molecules of sugar, starches take longer to digest, so they enter the bloodstream slowly.

One teaspoon of sugar has 16 calories, a teaspoon of honey has 21 calories and there are 136 calories— including 33 grams or 8 teaspoons of sugar—from a 12-ounce can of generic soda pop. These empty calories quickly add up to potential weight gain and an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Extra sugar also may cause an uptick in triglyceride levels, which contributes to cardiovascular disease.

We should try to eat complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans. Guidelines from the American Heart Association recommend that women should consume no more than six teaspoons of added sugar daily, while men should limit their added sugar to nine teaspoons. Remember that some healthy-sounding sweeteners, such as maple syrup, agave, brown sugar, molasses and honey are also added sugars.

Added sugar is found in virtually every type of processed food, which makes healthy eating challenging. One way to help eliminate added sugars from the diet is to check the ingredient listings of every packaged food item. For example, take a look at the ingredient listings of popular brands of so-called energy drinks and energy bars. Added sugar comes under the guise of maltose corn syrup, cane invert syrup, fructose, dextrose, glucose syrup, corn syrup—the list goes on and on.

Compare those commercial brands of energy drinks to the sugar-free Kenzen Ten4®!  Nikken nutritional products are lifestyle changers.

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Hair Care the Magnetic Way

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True Elements® Hair Care is unique and exclusive to Nikken. It focuses on a long lasting deep cleanse of the scalp. Designed to work with the skin’s pH balance, the Shampoo and Conditioner work together to help promote a healthy youthful appearance.

What goes into a shampoo or conditioner may determine how well it works, but what doesn’t go into hair care products is equally important. True Elements Hair Care products are made with an exclusive combination of natural ingredients and the formulas purposefully omit potentially harmful chemicals that are commonly found in commercial brands.

Natural ingredients are combined exclusively to clean, moisturize, condition and even to help treat the scalp to stimulate hair growth. True Elements Hair Care achieves this in a method exclusive to Nikken—by using natural resources from the earth:

  • Magnetic particles provide mechanical stimulation and movement in the shampoo and conditioner.
  • Germanium, a natural element found in herbs and plants, has a metallic luster, is a natural semiconductor with electrical properties and helps stimulate the body’s immune system to fight free radicals. Imagine it working to keep your scalp squeaky clean.
  • Copper gluconate is known for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Dermatologists have found that copper is a cofactor required for healthy skin growth, including the skin cells in hair follicles. Research shows that copper helps condition the scalp and combat hair loss.
  • Bentonite works like a magnet that bonds to contaminants and helps eliminate them from the hair and scalp.

* Peppermint oil acts as a natural fragrance, while Aloe Leaf Extract, Pro-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E help to nourish and replenish the scalp.

On the other hand, True Elements® Hair Care will not strip the scalp of its natural oils, damage the scalp’s protective barrier, promote the growth of microbes or irritate the skin.

  • It does not contain corrosive cleaning agents, such as sulfates, found in many commercial brands to create lather.
  • It does not contain commonly used preservatives, such as parabens, because of their potentially harmful effects. Parabens can be absorbed through the skin, blood and digestive systems.
  • It does not contain polyethylene (PEGS) that is irritating to broken or damaged skin.

Regardless of hair type—whether you have dry, oily, chemically-treated or color-enhanced hair, True Elements® Hair Care can help maintain a healthy scalp and hair.Hair care the Magnetic Way—only from Nikken.

 

Healthy Hair Starts with a Healthy Scalp

Published on by Nikken

The hair follicles on our scalps are wide open and ready to absorb whatever we put on our heads. That means a healthy hair care regimen requires us to keep our scalps clean and sufficiently moisturized. We need to consistently rid our scalp and hair from pollutants in the environment as well as chemicals and toxins found in hair care products.

How often we wash our hair and what we use can go a long way toward maintaining smooth, shiny hair. Depending on our personal skin and hair type, here is what dermatologists recommend to maintain healthy hair.

  1. Wash oily hair more frequently. If your scalp is oily, you may need to wash it every day. If you perspire a great deal, you may want to wash often. Straight hair can get oily quickly. Very curly hair or thick hair is not as oily and can be washed less often. If you have chemically treated hair, your hair may be drier, so you may want to wash it less frequently. As you get older, your scalp makes less oil, so you may not need to shampoo as often. If you see flakes in your hair, you may not be washing often enough. This can lead to dandruff and other scalp issues.
  2. Concentrate shampoo on the scalp. Keeping the scalp clean will help eliminate any problems with your hair. Washing only your hair can create flyaway hair that is dull and coarse. After massaging gently into the scalp, be sure to rinse thoroughly.
  3. Use conditioner after every shampoo. Using a conditioner can significantly improve the look of damaged or weathered hair by increasing shine, decreasing static electricity, improving strength and offering some protection from harmful UV rays.
  4. Concentrate conditioner on the hair, not the scalp. Because conditioners can make fine hair look limp, they only should be used on the tips of the hair and not on the scalp or length of the hair. Again, be sure to rinse thoroughly.
  5. Let your hair air dry whenever you can. Hair dryers, curling irons, flat irons anything that produces artificial heat can damage hair and make it break off or get too dry.
  6. Avoid hair products with ingredients known to be potentially harmful when absorbed by the skin on your scalp. These bad ingredients may be found in even some of the most popular brands, so it’s important to read the label: Alcohol-Isopropyl (SD-40), DEA, MEA, TEA, DMDM, Urea, FD&C Color pigments, Synthetic Fragrances, Mineral Oil, PEG, PG, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Triclosan

With the plethora of hair care products on the market, why would Nikken make a shampoo and a conditioner? The answer is simple: there are hundreds of products out there, but there is none like True Elements® Hair Care. Read the ingredient lists of commercial brands and compare them with True Elements® Shampoo and True Elements® Conditioner.

Take Massage into Your Own Hands with Patented DynaFlux® Magnetic Technology

Published on by Nikken

Can magnetic energy help your well-being? Yes. Magnetic energy is part of the natural environment for all living things. Earth’s magnetic field is also recognized as a protective barrier against dangerous radiation from space.

Clinical studies have indicated that magnets hold promise in the development of new, scientific approaches to many of the challenges of modern life. The body of knowledge continues to increase regarding this basic form of energy, and magnets are already used in various applications to improve the quality of life.

The most recent development in magnetic innovation is represented by Nikken patented DynaFlux® Magnetic Technology (U.S. Patent No. 9,265,966). DynaFlux features a series of individual magnets within an organized structure that places them in polar opposition at several points. Positive or negative poles face each other. Interlocking construction holds these components in place to overcome the repulsion generated by this arrangement.

Placing separate magnetic fields in opposition produces a multiplier effect with two notable results:

  1. One result is that the magnetic field is intensified in each of these areas, providing 100 percent magnetic coverage of a complex field within a flat surface.
  2. The other is a magnetic field that extends farther from the surface and increases the depth of penetration. This equates to increased gauss strength.

Patented DynaFlux® Magnetic Technology is at the foundation of the KenkoTouch™ handheld device that takes magnetic massage to a new level. The KenkoTouch™ delivers pulsating magnetic wave therapy to help relieve soreness and tightness in muscle tissue. The massaging effect leverages the mechanical motion of strategically placed moving nodules that produce a firm, slightly yielding sensation.

The KenkoTouch™ also incorporates specialized reflective fibers to help alleviate tension with gentle, consistent warming. It’s self-regulating, to prevent heat buildup and keep you comfortable. The result is an overall feeling of well being.

A heightened magnetic massage experience with KenkoTouch™—exclusively from Nikken.

 

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